Wait!

This last week or so as I have been waiting for the final test results necessary to start treatment, these words from Isaiah 30 have been running through my head:

“Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you...”

You may recall, if you read any of my earlier blogs. that these results had been delayed due to what I call a series of “human-ness-es” in the ordering process.

At this point there was the option given of just staring chemo, or waiting at least another 10 days and ordering the tests.

It’s hard to describe what feels like. Normally waiting 10 days for something would not be terrible. Perhaps uncomfortable or inconvenient, but not terrible. I remember waiting for my children to be born ( two of them were over two weeks late!) and thinking I was going to be eternally pregnant. But even in that situation, I could see a joyous end in sight.

WIth this experience, however every day was a battle to keep the thoughts at bay that this ravenous beast was taking over my body cell, by cell...with no defense.

Of course, we know that is not true, The Lord is always our defense.

“Truly my soul silently waits for God;

From Him comes my salvation.

He only is my rock and my salvation;

He is my defense;

I shall not be greatly moved.” Psalm 62:2

I was reminded of the Red Sea incident. When God separated those waters so that the Israelites could go through on dry land. I felt that if God could hold back the Red Sea, He could hold back these cells from metastasizing, and I prayed just that!

After a long week, yesterday, we had our doctors appointment.

The results were all back and the good news is that I did test positive for a genetic marker mutation!

It sounds weird that I would be happy about that, but having this information is very valuable and, provides the doctors with different treatment options.

I will be starting a targeted gene therapy tonight. Unlike traditional chemo, it specifically targets this genetic anomaly. This is a very basic layman's explanation, but; in short, the cancer cells in my body are looking for a certain enzyme to grow. This medication is supposed to block the receptor sites for that enzyme on those cells. 

We are very very thankful to our precious Lord for this and are praying that all this can help many other people.

I know I will be doing this ALOT, but again, I just really want to thank all of you who have stood (and are standing with me) and Robert and my family in prayer. I know the Lord  has used you to lift my head at so many times. 

This medication is not without side affects and I covet your prayers!

In a way I feel like the battle is just beginning...again.

The fight to stop the cells is just starting (medically speaking), but we know Who fights our enemies for us and with us.

“You must not fear them, for the LORD your God Himself fights for you.” Duet. 3:22

As we were sitting in the  doctor’s office, praising the Lord with tears of relief, two nurses popped their heads in and one said, “its a good thing you waited.”

Indeed.

Sometimes people or situations may cause us to feel pressure to act quickly or to rush into something that we don’t have peace about.

There is definitely a time to move and often His Spirit directs us to move..now!

But, I am solidified in my conviction that we should be cautious to act until we have God’s direction.

Though we may make mistakes, He graciously intervenes and continue to guide us.

If we follow His ways, we will discover His will.

The entirety of Isaiah 30:18 goes like this:

“Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you;

And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.

For the LORD is a God of justice;

Blessed are all those who wait for Him.

To Him be the glory in ALL things in ALL of our lives:

as we wait for HIm to direct us

as we wait for Him to show His hand of grace in and through our lives

and as we eagerly and faithfully await His return!

“He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”

Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Rev 22: 20-21

Maranatha!!